The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-12
A TARANTuLA TRAINER.
Mr.. Schandley Hopes to Create Boom
for the Big Spiders.


From the San Francisco Alta
That's Tom Schandley, the tarantula
trainer" said Charley Rhodes. AS he spoke
he pointed to short, stout man, dressed in
a light suit, who stood at the other end of
the counter. HE makes specially of train
ing tarantulas and spiders. He was once al
most crazy on snakes, but now he appears to
be wrapped up in the education of spiders.
Talk TO him. He can probably tell you an
interesting story"
The reporter acted upon the sug-
gestion. An introduction to Mr.. Schandley
followed
Yes said Mr. Schandley ~ must adj
NIT that I'm what some people call me-a
crank on spiders. like the creatures, and
never tire of studying habits. solomon of
old advised the lazy man to study the ways
and manners of the ant. l don't care TO
pose as the rival of Solomon as dispenser
of wisdom, but l will maintain that the
spider can teach q better idea of industry
than any ant that ever lived. I've watched
the creatures. An ant runs about all day
and puts nj all its time hunting for the hole
where it lives. In contrast TO the actions of
the ant, the spider SPINS web and at least
makes showing as to what 1T can do If
you will come to my room I'll show you
some of my pets.
The reporter willingly accepted the in
vitation, and before an hour had expired he
did not regret the time which he devoted to
his new acquaintance.
Here's my favorite spider" said Mr..
Schandley, as he placed a cigar box with
holes bored in the top on the table. He threw
back the lid and disposed the occupant of
the box, which was an ugly hairy tarantula.
As the light was thrown upon the tarantula
it began to move its joints and cavort
caused timid woman to go into Mysteries.
The reporter drew back as the savage look
ing creature displayed tendency to creep
out of the box.
''Oh, don't be afraid of Tim l call him
Tim O'Brien, you know" said Mr.. Schand-
ley; ''it's only little nickname He can't
hurt you. I've drawn the poison from his
nippers. Come, Tim," and to the horror of
the reporter Mr.. Schandley reached his hand
out and allowed the tarantula to crawl upon
it. A tarantuia is not very handsome or
pleasing specimen of an animal under any
circumstances, but it causes a shudder to
come over the ordinary man to see one drag
glng its hairy form over the hand of a
human being. Mr.. Schandley allowed
the creature to crawl around his
fingers and it worked its way up his coat
sleeve 1t stopped when near Mr.. Schand
leys elbow and cooked its eyes up at the re-
ed manner.
go back to your box Tim" commanded
Tins master in harsh tones, and to the re-
porter's surprise the animal quickly turned,
crawled over the owners hand and dropped
into the cigar box.
81 have him well trained, you see,"
laughed, the owner of the tarantulas as he
closed the lid on Mr., O'Brien, but I'll show
you another specimen. Here is Jim Blaine,n
Mr.
and exposed to view a reddish-brow
tarantula. 1t was live customer, and as
soon as the lid of the box was thrown back
it fairly leaped out upon the table. The re-
porter sprang back Don't be alarmed
said the trainer, and he seized Jim Blaine"
around the body.
Jim is Texas boy, and the dandy of his
to be excused from feeling Jim" The only
failing that Jim has is that he drinks whisky
and is a confirmed topper"
Drinks whiskyP
Eyes, Stree. I'll prove it" Mr.. Schand-
ley laid Jim back in the box and closed the
lid. He took bottle of whisky from a
stand and saturated small sponge with the
alcoholic stimulant. I'm put this in with
Jim and let him wrestle with it." said Mr..
Schandley. And be dropped the sponge in
the box
"A queer business I'm in?n said the taran-
lula trainer, in reply to question thrown
out by the reporter. YES it is Money in
its Yes. | was snake hunter in Bucks
county, Pa, about fifteen years ago. /
made considerable money out of it, but the
rattlers got kind of scarce, and l followed
Horace Greeley's advice and came West.
When l was in Texas | got an idea that
tarantulas could be trained, and l started
in. was successful, and soon had about
fifty of the ugliest devils of tarantulas, that
would do almost anything. OF course |
drew their poison, so there was no danger
to be incurred in handling them. | took
'em to New York and sold 'em. Who bought
thems Well, the greater part of them were
purchased by saloon keepers, who wanted
to attract custom by exhibiting them on
their bars. Some of them l sold to ladies
who had bent of mind something like
Bernhard They made pets of them. |
tell you that there are at least dozen Muir
ray Hill bellies who keep their pet tarantulas
with their pet lapdogs now. | got very good
prices from them for tarantula that was
well trained and would not betray
any viciousness. Some of the brutes can
never be trained. They will bite No; Il
don't exactly make living out of selling
tarantulaS, but | am always willing to &C
commodate any one who wants one of the
animals. I've got about eighteen taran-
tulas now. / hope to inaugurate a craze
among the ladies for the creatures. If |
can get up a boom you'll see women prone
nading on Market street on Saturdays with
their pet tarantulas on their arms. A small
blue ribbon around their waist is what
keeps them in place. The novelty of the
thing is taking. By the way let Us look at
Jim Blaine" Mr. Schandley opened the
Blaine box The sponge and Mr.. Blaine
were en- rapport Mr.. Blaine was helpless
The sponge was dry. He had sucked every
drop of liquor from it. Mr.. Schandley
turned Mr.. Blaine out upon the table but he
was like a chunk of wood. Only a spas
modic quivering of his jointed legs showed
that he was alive.
Schandley, laughing. He'd get this way
every day if I'd let him. But it's only about
once a week that | give HIM liquor. | al
ways think that it must have been an ami
mai like Jim that gave rise to the name
tarantula Juice. He is the only spider that
l ever had, out of many, that | could get
TO touch liquor. How long does it take to
train a tarantulal Oh, not over two weeks
You'd be surprised to know what a compre-
hension the ugly brutes have. They can be
trained easier than a dog"
Mr.. Schandley then showed the reporter
eight other tarantulas that were under
going courses of training. They all SEEM
ed to recognize certain sounds which he
made.
Jim Blaine won't be sober until morn
ing" said Mr. Schandley, as the reporter
edged toward the door to escape three or